A region-wide power outage is affecting the Washington, D.C., area and even buildings like the White House and the Capitol were affected by it, USAToday reports.

An explosion at a Maryland power plant is blamed for the power outages, according to an official. Also affected by the power outages were the University of Maryland and other buildings in the D.C. and Maryland area.

Robyn Johnson, D.C. Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management spokeswoman, said as many as 8,000 customers in the District were affected by the power outage.

The outage map for Southern Maryland Electric Company (SMECO) shows that almost 22,000 customers are without power. Spokesman Tom Denison said the outage is because of a transmission line problem that they are still trying to figure out.

In the capital, more than 2,000 Pepco customers are without power. Reports from the Associated Press say that the outage affected the White House and the Capitol.

People in parts of Maryland were also reporting outages, including some offices at the University of Maryland. Some Metro stations were using emergency lighting.

According to a tweet from the University of Maryland Tuesday afternoon, many offices at the University had lost power, including the admissions office. The University promised to inform students and faculty when the power is restored.

Trains at Union Station, D.C.'s commuter and Amtrak station, were waiting until power was restored to resume running.

Oprah Winfrey was speaking at the dedication for a Maya Angelo stamp when the power went out. Winfrey continued speaking without a microphone, quoting Angelo, according to a tweet.

The White House's power outage was brief as generators kicked in. The White House is now back on regular power, according to a White House spokesman.

The power outages at the University of Maryland could last until tonight, CBS DC reported.